The easiest way for kids to draw their own pet is to start with a simple cartoon cat or dog, then change it to match: the shape of the ears, the length of the tail, the colors and markings, and the pet’s personality. Drawing from a photo helps. The goal is a drawing that feels like your pet, not a perfect copy.
Step 1: Learn the basic shape
Most cartoon pets start with simple shapes:
- Cat: a circle head, triangle ears, an oval body, a long curvy tail.
- Dog: a circle or oval head, floppy or pointy ears, an oval body, a short tail.
- Rabbit: an oval body, a circle head, long oval ears.
- Hamster: one big round body, tiny ears and paws.
Free lessons in the cats and dogs hub and the animals hub.
Step 2: Look at your pet
Look at your pet (or a photo) and notice:
- Ear shape: floppy, pointy, folded?
- Body: long, round, tall, tiny?
- Tail: long, short, curly, fluffy?
- Fur: short, fluffy, curly?
- Markings: spots, stripes, a patch over one eye, white socks?
Step 3: Change the cartoon
Draw the basic cartoon shape again, but change the parts to match your pet. Floppy ears instead of pointy. A fatter body. A curly tail.
Step 4: Add markings and color
Add spots, stripes and patches in the right places. Use colors that match your pet’s fur.
Step 5: Add personality
Is your pet sleepy, silly, grumpy or always hungry? Show it with the face and pose. A sleeping cat curled up, a dog with its tongue out. See cartoon expressions.
Drawing from photos
- Take a photo of your pet when it’s still (sleeping is great).
- Use a grid over the photo for a more realistic drawing. See how to make a drawing grid.
Pet portrait projects
- A framed portrait for the wall.
- A card for a family member. See turn your child’s drawings into gifts.
- A comic about your pet’s secret life.
- Your pet as a superhero.
No pet?
Draw the pet you wish you had, or invent one. See hybrid animals.
The book that helps
Learn the basic cat and dog shapes in Cartoon Cats & Dogs, then turn them into your own pet. It comes in all three formats.
How to Draw: Cartoon Cats & Dogs
Trace Then Color: Cartoon Cats & Dogs
Draw by Grid: Cartoon Cats & DogsAs an Amazon Associate, FirstArtBooks earns from qualifying purchases.
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Questions
How can my child draw our pet?
Start with a simple cartoon cat or dog, then change the ears, body, tail and markings to match your pet.
Should kids draw pets from photos?
Photos help, especially of a sleeping pet. A grid over the photo helps older kids get proportions right.
What is the easiest pet to draw?
Cartoon cats and hamsters are easy because they start with simple round shapes.